News Blog

Sheriff Launches Scotia Death Investigation

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is in the midst of a death investigation after deputies responded to a report of a foul smell in Scotia to find the decomposing remains of Justin Joseph Nevis, 32, of Sacramento.

An autopsy is currently pending to determine a cause of death, but the the case is possibly linked to a report of a home invasion robbery and an ensuing struggle back in September. Kym Kemp has the full story on her blog, which also links to a web page maintained by the reported victim of the home invasion robbery, where he tells his story of using a knife to fend off a gun-toting attacker.

See the full press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office copied below:

On Friday, October 2, 2015 at about 12:30 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the report of a foul smell from a possible deceased subject on North Court, Scotia. When deputies arrived on scene they located a dead body. The deceased subject was later positively identified through fingerprints as Justin Joseph Nevis, age 32, of Sacramento County.

Due to the location and decomposition of the body, it is possible this case is associated with case 201504517 – Investigation of a home invasion. An autopsy is pending to determine exact cause of death.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.